The Thrill Of Your Love

Chapter Thirty Seven

TW- description and mention of blood

Terzo's heart had been in his stomach for the last hour, helplessly watching as Alice endured the horrors of the void without him. Him and his brothers had to frequently move her back into the circle of salt as her body was flung in all directions. He had to look away whenever she cried in pain, whenever her skin was pierced by something he couldn't protect her from and her blood staining the ancient stone beneath her.

Secondo had done his best to console Terzo who pleaded to bring her back, his tears flowing and dampening his cardinal cassock. Copia had held him back as he tried to enter the protective salt circle to pull her away, knowing it would only do more harm than good. So when Alice suddwnly woke up with a jolt, gasping for air, Terzo dived onto his knees, pulling her away from the remainder of the ritual.

"It's ok, I've got you." He breathed heavily as he gathered her into his arms, her blood soaking into the black fabric of his cassock. "You're safe Alice, I've got you."

"What...happened." She managed to mutter before her head wobbled, falling into Terzo's shoulder as her eyes rolled around her skull, slipping into unconsciousness.

"I've got her." Terzo gulped, gazing at her weakened body, nodding to his brothers who looked down with worry in their own eyes at her awful state. "I'll take care of her now."

"Here." Primo moved towards her, holding the sacred cloth from the altar. "Press this against the wound on her face to try and stop the bleeding." He instructed, pulling Terzo's hand on top of the fabric, holding it firmly against the wound.

Copia, his face pale with worry as the men desperately tried to help, tore the belt from his own cassock from around his waist and tied it tightly around Alice's arm, stopping the flow of blood from another deep gash.

"This should help for now." He said, his voice shaking. "Terzo take her to the infirmary before she worsens."

"Si, yes. Thank you." Terzo spoke frantically, his voice shaking and his eyes wide with fear. He carefully lifted Alice into his arms, bridal style, her head resting comfortably against his chest. "I'm here, amore." He whispered as he carried her through the labyrinthine vaults and up the cold, damp corridors. "You're going to be ok."

His pace quickened as he got out of the underground tunnels, his shoes clanking against the polished marble floor. The ministry was silent, most siblings asleep in the early hours of the morning, so he made his way through the place quickly, heading straight for the infirmary.

"I need a doctor...now!" He yelled as he burst through the old, double doors leading to the infirmary.

The nurse at the desk looked up, startled and ready to scold the person on the other side for being so loud whilst patients slept so close by. But when her eyes met Terzo's, his face covered in the blood of Alice's, mingled with his sweat whilst his chest rose and fall rapidly as he desperately tried to catch his breath, she quickly shot up from her seat.

"Come straight in Papa." She quickly moved from behind the desk, beckoning him to follow as she lead him down the hallway.

Terzo followed the young nurse into a room at the end of the corridor, gently laying Alice on the table. The nurse opened her mouth to ask what had happened, but before she could, Terzo pulled the cloth away from her face. The nurse gasped, her eyes widening in horror at the sight of the wound running from the inner corner of her eye right along the length of her cheek. Dirt and blood, both dry and wet littered her face that showed no sign of any movement or life.

"I- I'll get the doctor right away." She stuttered, her eyes not leaving Alice's as she slowly backed away before hurrying off.

Terzo stroked Alice's hair, a tear trickling down his cheek as he gazed at her pale face. He took her hand into his other one, gazing at the bruises and scrapes along the length of her arm, frowning as he sat beside her.